Single-piece overlapping waistband for pants

ABSTRACT

A method of making waistbands for pants, and the article produced. Standard interior waistbanding is first stitched onto a section of fabric which is to be used for the waistband material, and which is typically identical to the fabric of the rest of the pants. The section is slightly longer than the waist size of the finished pants, and slightly wider than double the width of the finished waistband. The fabric section is then folded over the banding, and the banding is basted to the folded portion of the fabric. The open end of the waistband is then attached to the body of the pants and the basting stitch, which originally secured the banding to the folded portion of the fabric is removed, leaving the banding attached only to the rear portion of the finished waistband.

[ Oct. 29, 1974 I SINGLE-PIECE OVERLAPPING WAISTBAND FOR PANTS [75] Inventor: Werner Dillenburger, Tacoma,

Wash.

[73] Assignee: Days Tailor-D Clothing, Inc.,

Tacoma, Wash.

22 Filed: Mar. 5, 1973 21 Appl. No.: 338,349

[52] U.S. Cl. 2/236, 2/237 [51] Int. Cl. A4lf 9/00 [58] Field of Search 2/237, 221, 236, 220, 76, 2/234, 227

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,647,761 11/1927 Waxman 2/236 1,697,630 1/1929 Bricker 2/236 FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 1,439,222 4/1966 France 2/237 Primary ExaminerH. Hampton Hunter M90101 A ent r firm: Ch i n ,QTQQI Garrison & Havellia if [57] ABSTRACT A method of making waistbands for pants, and the article produced. Standard interior waistbanding is first stitched onto a section of fabric which is to be used for the waistband material, and which is typically identical to the fabric of the rest of the pants. The section is slightly longer than the waist size of the finished pants, and slightly wider than double the width of the finished waistband. The fabric section is then folded over the banding, and the banding is basted to the folded portion of the fabric. The open end of the waistband is then attached to the body of the pants and the basting stitch, which originally secured the banding to the folded portion of the fabric is removed, leaving the banding attached only to the rear portion of the finished waistband.

' 24 Claims, 16 Drawing Figures SINGLE-PIECE OVERLAPPING WAISTBAND FOR PANTS BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates generally to the art of fabricating pants, and more specifically to the art of making waistbands for pants.

In the prior art, waistbands for pants have been fabricated using a relatively stiff, although not stretchable, interior waist-banding material. Typically, fabric identical to that utilized in the body of the pants was used to cover the outward portion of the banding and then folded over the top of the banding and attached at some point in back of the banding to an inexpensive liner material called curtaining. The curtaining material was then typically secured to the banding itself. Individual sections, cut to predetermined widths and lengths, were provided for both the waistband fabric covering the outward side of the banding, and the inside curtaining. These two separate portions then had to be sewn together, and secured to the banding, as described above. This is a rather lengthy and laborious process, requiring many steps, although at present it is still practical because of the cost savings in utilizing the curtaining material instead of additional pant fabric.

With the advent of stretchable banding materials, however, this prior art technique of fabricating waistbands has become more troublesome. In order to make a truly stretchable waistband, the material to which the stretchable banding is secured must be similarly stretchable. Typically, the stretchable banding is utilized with stretchable pant material of double knit construction or the like. However, by using the traditional technique with inexpensive linen curtaining material, the advantages of the stretchable waistband are largely nullified. It results in a bunching of the pants and a relatively unsightly appearance at the waistband. By utilizing the principles of the present invention, however, it is possible to both take full advantage of the new stretchable banding, eliminate the unsightly appearance of bunched waistbands of the prior art, and also to fabricate waistbands for pants in an extremely simple and fast manner.

It is therefore a general object of the present invention to provide a waistband which overcomes the disadvantages of the prior art.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a waistband which can be easily utilized with stretchable banding material.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a method for making waistbands from a single section of waistbanding material.

It is a still further object of the present invention to provide a method for making waistbands which eliminate several process steps from the prior art method of making waistbands.

Other and further objects, features and advantages of the invention will become apparent as the description proceeds.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Accordingly, the present invention includes a method for making waistband and securing the same to garment material. The waistband includes a relatively thin strip of banding material, the banding material having first and second opposed surfaces and first and second longitudinal edges, and further includes a strip of cover material, the cover material having exterior and interior surfaces and first and second longitudinal edges. The cover material is at least slightly wider than double the width of the banding material. In the method of the present invention, the banding material and the cover material are initially positioned in contact with one another, such that they extend in substantially the same longitudinal direction, with the first opposed surface of the banding being adjacent the interior surface of the cover material, the cover material extending laterally beyond both longitudinal edges of the banding material and beyond the first longitudinal edge a distance slightly greater than the width of the banding. The banding material and cover material are then secured together in that position. The cover material and the banding material are then folded relative to each other about the first longitudinal edge of the banding material. This brings the second opposed surface of the banding material also into contact with the interior surface of the cover material.

The garment material is then directly secured to the cover material along a longitudinal line adjacent the second longitudinal edge of the banding material.

The present invention also includes the article produced by the method of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS A more thorough understanding of the invention may be obtained by a study of the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which,

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view taken along lines I] in FIG. 2 of the secured banding material and waistband fabric resulting from the first step in the method of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an isometric view of the secured banding material and waistband fabric resulting from the first step of the method of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the secured banding material and waistband fabric of FIG. 1, as it is folded during the second and third steps of the method of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along lines 4-4 in FIG. 5 of the twice folded banding material and waistband fabric resulting from the third step in the method of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is an isometric view of the twice folded banding material and waistband fabric resulting from the third step of the method of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a cross sectional view taken along lines 6-6 in FIG. 7 showing the garment attached to the waistband of FIG. 4.

FIG. 7 is an isometric view of the garment attached to the waistband of FIG. 4.

FIG. 8 is an isometric view of the garment with waistband of FIG. 7, wherein the a portion of the garment is folded back away from the waistband.

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of the garment with waistband of FIG. 8.

FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view taken along lines 10-10 in FIG. 11 of the garment with waistband of FIG. 8 wherein segments of the garment and waistband fabric are folded back upon the waistband.

FIG. 11 is an isometric view of the garment with waistband of FIG. 8, wherein segments of the garment and waistband fabric are folded back upon the waistband.

FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view taken along lines 12-12 in FIG. 13 of the garment with waistband wherein a portion of the waistband fabric is folded back over the arrangement of FIG. 11.

FIG. 13 is an isometric view of the garment with waistband, wherein a portion of the waistband fabric is folded back over the arrangement of FIG. 11.

FIG. 14 shows the structure of FIG. 12 inverted, and the placement of a line of stitching.

FIG. 15 is a view showing the removal of a basting stitch from the garment with waistband it to the body of the pants.

FIG. 16 is a view showing a finished pair of pants using the waistband of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, a section of fabric 21 is shown in conjunction with a strip 22 of stretchable banding. The fabric 21 is typically cut into lengths slightly longer than the waistband length desired, and has a width dimension of slightly greater than double the desired finished width of the waistband. The stretchable banding 22 is a material which is utilized in many current pant waistbands, to give them a relatively stiff and pleasing appearance, and to support without wrinkling, etc. the rest of the pants. In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, this banding is stretchable, and is available commercially as a standard item for pant manufacturing.

Instead of stitching the banding to an inexpensive linen curtaining material, and then attaching the curtaining to the fabric covering the outward portion of the banding, the stretchable banding in the present invention is secured directly to a single fabric section, the fabric typically being identical to the rest of the pants. The banding 22 is typically positioned as shown, and stitched to the waistband fabric 21 with the use of a chain stitch 20, which provides a relatively secure attachment of the banding to the fabric, but which has the ability to stretch when the fabric and the banding are coincidentally stretched. At this point, the raw edge 23 of the waistband material may be secured by a standard zig-zag sewing technique known as a serging stitch 24. This serging stitch, although not necessary to practice the present invention, is utilized in the present application as a visual aid in tracing the folding of the waistband in the following description.

Referring now to FIG. 3, after the banding 22 has been secured to the waistband fabric 21, the banding is folded over as shown, and one portion of the waistband fabric 26 is folded back, again substantially as shown in FIG. 3. One side of the banding is thus lying completely against one portion 27 of the waistband fabric. The banding is then basted to portion 27 of the waistband material, which will be referred to as the outward portion of the waistband, by means of a removable basting stitch 28, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5. At this point, the banding is permanently secured by the chain stitch to the portion 26 of the waistband fabric, and is also basted 28 to the outward portion 27 of the waistband fabric. The banding 22 is thus secured to both the portions 26, 27 of the waistband fabric, the waistband fabric 21 being a single piece.

At this point, the fabrication of the waistband itself is substantially complete and the waistband is ready to be attached to the body of the pants. A one-piece waistband i.e., a waistband using a single piece of waistband fabric 21, has been fabricated, with the banding 22 attached sufficiently to both portions of the single waistband fabric such that the waistband may be easily secured to the body of the pants, as will now be described.

Referring to FIGS. 6 and 7, the waistband of FIG. 5 is shown adjacent to the pant material 31. Surface 32 of the pants is the outward portion of the pants. The pant material 31 and the waistband are lined up substantially as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7 and lockstitched along line 33, adjacent the banding 22. One edge of the banding is thus used as a guide for sewing the waistband to the body of the pants. This guide increases the speed and appearance of the lockstitch line 33. The pant material are then rotated underneath the waistband about stitch line 33, with the waistband remaining in place, as shown in FIG. 8. At this point, there is shown the pant material 31, and the waistband 36, including a segment 37, formed of coextensive portions of pant material and waistband fabric, respectively, defined by stitch line 33 and longitudinal edges 37a and 37b of pant material and waistbanding fabric, respectively. This is shown isometrically in FIG. 8, and cross-sectionally in FIG. 9.

Referring to FIGS. 10 and 11, the segment 37 is then folded over so that longitudinal edges 37a, 37b of the pant material and waistbanding fabric, respectively, are positioned over the banding 22. Referring to FIGS. 12 and 13, a portion 26 of the inward portion of the fabric 21 is now folded over the segment 37, revealing the permanent chain stitch 20. This stitch is visible on the inward side of the waistband. The combination of pant material and waistband is then inverted from FIG. 13, as shown in FIG. 14, and a final lockstitch 40 is applied at the base 40a of the waistband, thus attaching the pant and the portion 26 of the waistband fabric together.

Referring to FIG. 15, the basting stitch 28 is now removed, thereby eliminating any direct attachment between the bonding 22 and the outward portion 27 of the waistband fabric 21. The only point of attachment between the banding 22 and the single piece waistband fabric 21 is through the chain stitch 20 to the waistband fabric. At this point, referring to FIG. 16, the ends of the waistband at the fly of the pants can be easily folded back and stitched, providing a very simple and expedient method of accomplishing this often tedious step. A completed pair of pants is shown substantially in FIG. 16, indicating the relationship between the various stitches, and the pant material, as well as demonstrating the folded ends 41 and 42 at the fly of the waistband.

Thus, according to the principles of the present invention, there is provided a method for producing a waistband for pants which greatly simplifies the process used in the prior art, in that it uses a single piece of material to cover both the sides of the banding, and a special sequence of stitches, substantially as shown and described to produce a new waistband. By utilizing the technique of the present invention, stretchable banding material and stretchable pant fabric may be utilized to full advantage, resulting in a waistband having a longlasting, attractive appearance.

Although an exemplary embodiment of the invention has been disclosed herein for purposes of illustration, it will be understood that various changes, modifications and substitutions may be incorporated in such embodiment without departing from the spirit of the invention as defined by the claims which follow:

What is claimed is:

l. A method for making a waistband and joining the same to garment material, the waistband including a relatively thin strip of relatively stiff banding material having first and second opposed surfaces and first and second longitudinal edges, and a relatively thin strip of cover material having exterior and interior surfaces and first and second longitudinal edges, the cover material being wider than said banding material and substantially as long, comprising the steps of:

positioning the banding material and the cover material into contact with each other, with the banding material extending in substantially the same longitudinal direction as the cover material, and with the first opposed surface of the banding material being adjacent the interior surface of the cover material, the cover material extending laterally beyond both the first and second longitudinal edges of the banding material and beyond the first longitudinal edge of the banding material a distance at least slightly greater than the width of the banding material;

securing the positioned banding material and cover material together substantially along the length thereof; folding the banding material and the cover material relative to each other about the first longitudinal edge of the banding material, such that the second opposed surface of the banding material is adjacent the interior surface of the cover material; and

permanently securing the garment material directly to the cover material along a longitudinal line adjacent the second longitudinal edge of the banding material.

2. A method of claim 1, wherein the cover material is similar to the garment material.

3. A method of claim 1, wherein the banding material and the cover material are both stretchable.

4. A method of claim 1, wherein the banding material is secured to the cover material by a continuous chain stitch.

5. A method of claim 1, wherein the garment material is formed into trousers.

6. A method of claim 5, wherein the banding material and the cover material have coterminal, longitudinal ends, respectively, the banding material being substantially covered by the cover material, and including the step of folding said coterminal, longitudinal ends back upon the covered banding material a relatively small distance thereof, so as to form a portion of a trouser fly.

7. A method of claim 1, wherein the step of folding results in the banding material being substantially covered by the cover material, and further including the step of moving the garment material and the covered banding relative to each other about said longitudinal line such that the garment material and the covered banding define substantially parallel lines.

8. A method of claim 7, wherein the garment material has exterior and interior surfaces and wherein the step of permanently securing the garment material to the cover material includes positioning a portion of the exterior surface of the garment material adjacent the exterior surface of the cover material, the first longitudinal edge of the cover material being substantially coterminal with a garment material edge.

9. A method of claim 8, wherein said longitudinal line and said coterminal first longitudinal cover material edge, and garment material edge, respectively, define coextensive segments of garment material and cover material.

10. A method of claim 9, wherein the step of securing the positioned banding material and cover material together defines a second longitudinal line, and including the step of moving a first portion of the cover material defined by said second longitudinal line and the second longitudinal edge of the cover material about said second longitudinal line, exposing a portion of the first opposed surface of the banding material.

11. A method of claim 10, including the step of folding said coextensive segments of cover material and garment material about said first longitudinal line against said exposed portion of the first opposed surface of the banding material subsequent to the step of moving the garment material and the covered banding relative to each other.

12. A method of claim 11, including the step of moving said first cover material portion about said second longitudinal line such that it is adjacent said folded, coextensive segments and a portion of the interior surface of the garment material, and further including the step of securing said first cover material portion to the garment material.

13. A method of claim 12, wherein the banding material and the cover material are both stretchable material.

14. A method of claim 12, wherein the cover material is similar to the garment material.

15. A method of claim 12, wherein the banding material is secured to the fabric material by a continuous chain stitch.

16. A method of claim 12, wherein the banding material and the cover material have coterminal, longitudinal ends, respectively, the banding being substantially covered by the cover material and including the step of folding said coterminal, longitudinal ends back upon the cover banding a relatively small distance thereof, so as to form a portion of a trouser fiy.

17. A waistband for a garment, comprising:

a strip of relatively stiff banding material having a width, a length substantially equal to the circumference of a human waist, first and second opposed surfaces, and first and second longitudinal edges; and,

a strip of cover material having a width at least slightly greater than twice the width of the banding material, a length substantially equal to said banding material, interior and exterior surfaces, and first and second longitudinal edges, said banding material being in contact with, and secured substantially along the length thereof to, the cover material, such that the banding material extends in substantially the same longitudinal direction as the cover material, the cover material being folded about the first longitudinal edge of the banding material such that the interior surface of the cover material is adjacent the first and second opposed surfaces of the banding material, respectively, the first and second longitudinal edges of the cover material extending laterally beyond the second longitudinal edge of the banding material, permitting attachment of the garment to the cover material in a first segment thereof defined by said second longitudinal edge of the banding material and said first longitudinal edge of the cover material.

18. An article of claim 17, wherein said banding material and said cover material are stretchable.

19. An article of claim 17, wherein the garment is made from the same material as the cover material.

20. An article of claim 19, wherein said garment material is stretchable.

21. An article of claim 17, wherein the banding material is secured to the cover material along a first line of stitching.

22. An article of claim 17, wherein the garment is secured to said first cover material segment along a second line of stitching adjacent the second longitudinal edge of the banding material.

23. An article of claim 22, wherein said first cover material segment is folded back upon the first opposed surface of the banding material and a second cover material segment defined by the second longitudinal cover material edge and said first line of stitching is positioned over said first cover material segment and secured to said garment material.

24. A method for making a waistband and joining the same to garment material, the waistband including a relatively thin strip of relatively stiff banding material having first and second opposed surfaces and first and second longitudinal edges, and a relatively thin strip of cover material having exterior and interior surfaces and first and second longitdinal edges the cover material being wider than said banding material and substantially as long, comprising the steps of:

positioning the banding material and the cover material into contact with each other, with the banding material extending in substantially the same longi' tudinal direction as the cover material, and with the first opposed surface of the banding material being adjacent the interior surface of the cover material, the cover material extending laterally beyond both the first and second longitudinal edges of the banding material and beyond the first longitudinal edge of the banding material a distance at least slightly greater than the width of the banding material; securing the positioned banding material and cover material together substantially along the length thereof; folding the banding material and the cover material relative to each other about the first longitudinal edge of the banding material, such that the second opposed surface of the banding material is adjacent the interior surface of the cover material; and temporarily securing the cover material adjacent the second opposed surface to the banding material. 

1. A method for making a waistband and joining the same to garment material, the waistband including a relatively thin strip of relatively stiff banding material having first and second opposed surfaces and first and second longitudinal edges, and a relatively thin strip of cover material having exterior and interior surfaces and first and second longitudinal edges, the cover material being wider than said banding material and substantially as long, comprising the steps of: positioning the banding material and the cover material into contact with each other, with the banding material extending in substantially the same longitudinal direction as the cover material, and with the first opposed surface of the banding material being adjacent the interior surface of the cover material, the cover material extending laterally beyond both the first and second longitudinal edges of the banding material and beyond the first longitudinal edge of the banding material a distance at least slightly greater than the width of the banding material; securing the positioned banding material and cover material together substantially along the length thereof; folding The banding material and the cover material relative to each other about the first longitudinal edge of the banding material, such that the second opposed surface of the banding material is adjacent the interior surface of the cover material; and permanently securing the garment material directly to the cover material along a longitudinal line adjacent the second longitudinal edge of the banding material.
 2. A method of claim 1, wherein the cover material is similar to the garment material.
 3. A method of claim 1, wherein the banding material and the cover material are both stretchable.
 4. A method of claim 1, wherein the banding material is secured to the cover material by a continuous chain stitch.
 5. A method of claim 1, wherein the garment material is formed into trousers.
 6. A method of claim 5, wherein the banding material and the cover material have coterminal, longitudinal ends, respectively, the banding material being substantially covered by the cover material, and including the step of folding said coterminal, longitudinal ends back upon the covered banding material a relatively small distance thereof, so as to form a portion of a trouser fly.
 7. A method of claim 1, wherein the step of folding results in the banding material being substantially covered by the cover material, and further including the step of moving the garment material and the covered banding relative to each other about said longitudinal line such that the garment material and the covered banding define substantially parallel lines.
 8. A method of claim 7, wherein the garment material has exterior and interior surfaces and wherein the step of permanently securing the garment material to the cover material includes positioning a portion of the exterior surface of the garment material adjacent the exterior surface of the cover material, the first longitudinal edge of the cover material being substantially coterminal with a garment material edge.
 9. A method of claim 8, wherein said longitudinal line and said coterminal first longitudinal cover material edge, and garment material edge, respectively, define coextensive segments of garment material and cover material.
 10. A method of claim 9, wherein the step of securing the positioned banding material and cover material together defines a second longitudinal line, and including the step of moving a first portion of the cover material defined by said second longitudinal line and the second longitudinal edge of the cover material about said second longitudinal line, exposing a portion of the first opposed surface of the banding material.
 11. A method of claim 10, including the step of folding said coextensive segments of cover material and garment material about said first longitudinal line against said exposed portion of the first opposed surface of the banding material subsequent to the step of moving the garment material and the covered banding relative to each other.
 12. A method of claim 11, including the step of moving said first cover material portion about said second longitudinal line such that it is adjacent said folded, coextensive segments and a portion of the interior surface of the garment material, and further including the step of securing said first cover material portion to the garment material.
 13. A method of claim 12, wherein the banding material and the cover material are both stretchable material.
 14. A method of claim 12, wherein the cover material is similar to the garment material.
 15. A method of claim 12, wherein the banding material is secured to the fabric material by a continuous chain stitch.
 16. A method of claim 12, wherein the banding material and the cover material have coterminal, longitudinal ends, respectively, the banding being substantially covered by the cover material and including the step of folding said coterminal, longitudinal ends back upon the cover banding a relatively small distance thereof, so as to form a portion of a trouser fly.
 17. A waistband For a garment, comprising: a strip of relatively stiff banding material having a width, a length substantially equal to the circumference of a human waist, first and second opposed surfaces, and first and second longitudinal edges; and, a strip of cover material having a width at least slightly greater than twice the width of the banding material, a length substantially equal to said banding material, interior and exterior surfaces, and first and second longitudinal edges, said banding material being in contact with, and secured substantially along the length thereof to, the cover material, such that the banding material extends in substantially the same longitudinal direction as the cover material, the cover material being folded about the first longitudinal edge of the banding material such that the interior surface of the cover material is adjacent the first and second opposed surfaces of the banding material, respectively, the first and second longitudinal edges of the cover material extending laterally beyond the second longitudinal edge of the banding material, permitting attachment of the garment to the cover material in a first segment thereof defined by said second longitudinal edge of the banding material and said first longitudinal edge of the cover material.
 18. An article of claim 17, wherein said banding material and said cover material are stretchable.
 19. An article of claim 17, wherein the garment is made from the same material as the cover material.
 20. An article of claim 19, wherein said garment material is stretchable.
 21. An article of claim 17, wherein the banding material is secured to the cover material along a first line of stitching.
 22. An article of claim 17, wherein the garment is secured to said first cover material segment along a second line of stitching adjacent the second longitudinal edge of the banding material.
 23. An article of claim 22, wherein said first cover material segment is folded back upon the first opposed surface of the banding material and a second cover material segment defined by the second longitudinal cover material edge and said first line of stitching is positioned over said first cover material segment and secured to said garment material.
 24. A method for making a waistband and joining the same to garment material, the waistband including a relatively thin strip of relatively stiff banding material having first and second opposed surfaces and first and second longitudinal edges, and a relatively thin strip of cover material having exterior and interior surfaces and first and second longitdinal edges the cover material being wider than said banding material and substantially as long, comprising the steps of: positioning the banding material and the cover material into contact with each other, with the banding material extending in substantially the same longitudinal direction as the cover material, and with the first opposed surface of the banding material being adjacent the interior surface of the cover material, the cover material extending laterally beyond both the first and second longitudinal edges of the banding material and beyond the first longitudinal edge of the banding material a distance at least slightly greater than the width of the banding material; securing the positioned banding material and cover material together substantially along the length thereof; folding the banding material and the cover material relative to each other about the first longitudinal edge of the banding material, such that the second opposed surface of the banding material is adjacent the interior surface of the cover material; and temporarily securing the cover material adjacent the second opposed surface to the banding material. 